Master's Programme in Architecture and Urban Design

While studying

Ecological challenges such as climate change and social crises such as unequal local and global development and migration places raises a strong demand on architecture to develop new solutions based on broad interdisciplinary perspectives. In the Master's Programme in Architecture and Urban Design these complex issues are dealt with in various design studios. Departing from your own experience and ethical position the programme wants to challenge the conventional contemporary architectural practice and the future of the profession.

Creative campus environment

The School of Architecture is situated on the Arts Campus – a creative environment with workshops and infrastructure for production and making, together with the Art- and Design School, the incubator Sliperiet and Bildmuseet.

The Master's Programme in Architecture and Urban Design is built up by studios with different thematic orientations. You will work with the exploration of new fields of knowledge related to architecture and urban planning in a learning environment like a laboratory.

Develop your critical thinking

The aim is to develop your own critical thinking and in the exploration of these fields of knowledge develop and apply new perspectives, designing alternative architectural proposals, strategies and practices that can contribute to change in today's societal- and urban development.

Focus on sustainability

Important elements of the programme are social- and environmental sustainability, resource awareness, work on different scales, experimenting with technical solutions and prototyping through full-scale construction and architectural interventions and installations in the physical environment.

The Master's programme is based on experimental pedagogy where theoretical knowledge is integrated with process-oriented and artistic investigations, where the development of the subject takes place in the exploratory and artistic approach to the practice and profession.

All instruction in English

During the first three semesters of the education two seminar courses run in parallel with a synthesis course in the form of a design project. During the fourth semester a Master's thesis project is carried out.
The seminar courses introduce and deepen theoretical and technical concepts, methods and processes and issues concerning the profession and professional practice.

Design projects are carried out within different studios, allowing you to choose approach departing from your personal interest.
The programme is taught in English by teachers with backgrounds from different countries and with specialized knowledge of the subject.

Experimental methods

The design process is explored through investigative and process-oriented methods. Modes of working are tested and developed through unconventional experimentation, where prototypes, models, projects and ideas are tested with the aim to develop alternative strategies that can create new forms and methods within architecture, design and urbanism.

The conditions for an approach that involves a collaborative architecture culture and practice are created, where the strategies and proposals are developed through collaboration. The aim is to create a work environment where individuals can develop issues and projects, both individually and in groups, in a collective spirit to create a common base of knowledge.

Develop holistic approach

The teaching is focused on empowering you as a student and giving you opportunity to develop from a holistic approach to education. We work in seminars and roundtable discussions, and see self-assessment and feedback as an interactive and open dialogue process.

Read more - A day at Umeå School of Architecture

Career opportunities

The programme leads to a Master of Fine Arts, which means you can work with architecture and urban planning in both the private and public sectors. The international character provides good preparation for work in Sweden as well as in the rest of the world. Good conditions for those who want to do research on the subject are also to be found here.

Increased demand for architects

The subject area is under strong expansion and development in order to meet the current societal developments and an increased demand for expertise in sustainable development in architecture, urban planning and development.

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